§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Trade, further to the Secretary of State for Industry's reply to the hon. Member for Northampton, North on 11 December, Official Report c. 742, what percentage of exports to other European Community countries is accounted for by oil and oil products; and what is the underlying trend in the balance of trade in manufactures.
§ Mr. ParkinsonIn 1980, 19 per cent. of the United Kingdom's total exports to the other nine European Community countries was accounted for by oil and oil products. The underlying trend in the balance of trade in manufactures is difficult to assess. There was a deterioration in the balance with EC(9), and also with the rest of the developed world, over the three years to 1979. However, 1980 saw a considerable reduction in our deficit with the Community, in contrast to a further worsening in the deficit with the other developed countries.